When do you consider algae a problem?

[AngryMike2016]

(disclaimer - I have only been reefing for ~6 months)

Simple curiosity question here - when do you consider algae a problem in your tank? I am relatively inexperienced, but I get the feeling that algae of some kind is always going to be present to some degree. Right now, I have a light fuzz of brown hair algae on some of my rock, but as it isn't spreading (receding, if anything), isn't bothering any coral, and gives my urchin and tailspot blenny something to snack on, I don't see it as a problem worth fighting.

What's your stance - that is, where do you draw the line on algae as something that's just there, and algae as a problem?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Only when it starts to affect coral growth and health do i worry about it.

 

[AngryMike2016]

Yeah, that's my mind set too. Algae is a natural thing that happens in the ocean; so if it isn't causing problems, and isn't an eyesore, why put energy into it?

 

[Gareth elliott]

When it interferes with the goals of your tank. Some might see some macro algae in the display as aesthetically pleasing. Especially some species. Others might not have the time set aside to clean algae off equipment as much as their tank is producing. All in the eye of owner and their tank goals. That said very high nutrient levels are not usually beneficial to a system, even fowlr. Sometimes an algae outbreak if not testing and new to reefing is a good sign to alter what you are doing.

 

[AngryMike2016]

Regularly testing most parameters I certainly wouldn't say I have an 'outbreak' so much as 'some growth'. Not sure how to phrase it better? The little algae I do have is under control, and feeding the inverts and blenny. Certainly different for everyone; I can definitely understand that some would prefer a 'pristine' tank.